Info on outages accessible on mobile phones

Posted
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 1:00 pm

Ever wonder how power outage and storm information can be accessed if you’re experiencing a service outage? National Grid says it has gone mobile and is putting this important information in the palm of your hand.

Customers that access nationalgrid.com on their mobile devices can now stay connected with news about service interruptions and learn safety information through the new site. Once on the mobile site, customers will be able to view outage maps, report an outage, check the status of an outage, and view restoration information by area. The mobile site also features a section with important storm safety tips and frequently asked questions along with contact information for National Grid’s customer service team.

“Customers want and deserve to have real-time service information at critical times,” said Timothy F. Horan, president, National Grid, Rhode Island. “With more and more of our customers using cell phones and other mobile devices to communicate and stay informed, we need to do more to meet expectations. Development of this application is another step being taken by National Grid to do that.”

The outage maps featured on the mobile website are compatible with the latest version of Microsoft Bing Maps and the website offers direct mobile support for iPhone, iPad, Android and Windows-based phones that have IE9 browsers and up. It is recommended that customers with phones that are not within these categories continue to view our regular website.

In addition to the mobile website, customers can opt-in to receive broadcast text alerts by texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743). Once customers text the number, NGRID will ask them to verify the state they are in. After choosing their state, they will be registered to receive updates for that state.

Once customers sign up, they will be able to enjoy several self-service options, including easy access to outage reporting, e-billing and more. Customers can always opt out of email alerts by clicking the “unsubscribe link” at the bottom of all National Grid emails.

Customers can follow National Grid on Twitter @nationalgridus, or Friend us on Facebook at National Grid RI.

National Grid is also launching an extensive radio and online advertising campaign to spread awareness of the mobile website and encourage customers to register for email and text alerts on storm information.